Thursday, April 01, 2010

So....about that whole Rick Warren thing...

So John Piper came and confessed that he invited Rick Warren to speak at Desiring God 2010 and also explained his decision:

Rick Warren's talk is titled: "Thinking Purposefully for the Glory of Christ: The Life of the Mind and Global Reality". Also on tap for the D.G. conference: R.C. Sproul. Al Mohler, Thabiti Anyabwile. Expect some to call these men out as heretics for agreeing to appear on the same stage as Warren.

So what to think about this? I have some thoughts that I will post tomorrow, would be interested in your thoughts tho'....

10 comments:

So what is the problem with Piper having Warren come and speak? Is Warren not part of the Body of Christ? Arthur, were you not speaking earlier about not letting the non essentials divide us? I say kuddos to Piper.

What makes him tick? Notoriety maybe?Being able to rub elbows with the elite?That would influence what he teaches, versus what he believes.Do I think he will come clean?We can only pray for conviction.

Hmm...well, I will be the first to tell you that I think most of what Rick Warren puts out there is misguided at best--I would actually qualify much of it as theologically dangerous. So my first thought was honestly, "You've got to be kidding me." But then I watched Piper's video, and I thought about it a little more. And while it's still probably not the way I would do things, I actually think maybe Piper is doing a good thing here. I've really been focused lately on trying to pursue unity with those with whom I disagree. It's very easy for me to criticize and think that I have it all figured out, but even if I'm right and my brother is wrong, he's still my brother. So I actually like that Piper is being very charitable toward Rick Warren, giving him the opportunity to almost defend himself, so to speak, while at the same time being honest about his frustrations with Rick. I think the danger may be that actual sin and/or heretical teaching may be glossed over in the name of brotherhood and unity (and by heretical teaching I mean *actual heresy*--not just something over which we disagree). I don't know. If nothing else, I think it will be very interesting to see how that goes.

I'm no fan of Rick Warren, but I do believe he is a Christian. That said, it might be interesting to hear what he has to say.

I don't know why some people are in such a tizzy. By simply inviting Warren, this does not mean that Piper automatically agrees with everything Warren will say.

Are we so afraid to hear from brothers with whom we may disagree? This unwillingness to even listen is just another sign of the fragmentation of Christianity in this country. Too many denominations - arrgh.

Anyway, Warren may challenge some of us to think a little outside the Reformed box. Maybe this will be good. I don't think it is worth getting upset about.

It's amazing what meeting with people can do for one's attitude towards them. It is easy to be critical behind a computer screen, from behind a book, or in front of the TV because they are so impersonal.

I discovered this in Bible College where I had professors with whom I had serious theological differences, but I greatly respected them as people because I knew them personally. If a blogger or author were to say similar things to these professors, I would be quick to jump on him without thinking of him as a person.

I think John Piper is setting a positive example for getting along with those whom one disagrees by meeting them personally and reaching out. However, it is probably a mistake to invite him to speak at this event when his theology is questionable and his methodology unbiblical. Why not go to lunch with Warren or have a roundtable type discussion instead?